MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Kyrgyzstan

28.4.2010

to wind up the debate on statements by the Council and Commission
pursuant to Rule 110(2) of the Rules of Procedure

Marie-Christine Vergiat on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group

B7‑0258/2010

European Parliament resolution on the situation in Kyrgyzstan

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to its previous resolutions on Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia,

 

–   having regard to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between the EU and Kyrgyzstan that entered into force in 1999,

 

–   having regard to the European Community Regional Strategy Paper for Assistance to Central Asia for the period 2007-2013,

 

–   having regard to Rule 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

 

A.  whereas Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who first took office in July 2005, was re-elected last year for another term as president in an election that independent monitors said was tainted by massive fraud; whereas after his initial democratic undertakings, Bakiyev’s rule turned authoritarian and repressive and his regime was widely perceived as corrupt and marred by abuses of authority,

 

B.  whereas the government delayed for months the payment of salaries and pensions; whereas at the same time the Bakiyev clan transferred million of dollars to offshore bank accounts,

 

C.  whereas NGOs from the region report that the Bakiyev government started to arrest opposition leaders, to eliminate journalists via the secret services and to oppress the public media,

 

D.  whereas 84 people died and more than 500 people were injured when, on 7 April, Kyrgyz troops intervened reacting on protests against a sharp increase in prices for electricity and heating,

 

E.  whereas President Bakiyev fled the capital and his place was taken by an interim government led by former minister of Foreign Affairs and opposition leader Roza Otunbayeva who issued a decree on power succession and an order of compliance with the Kyrgyz constitution and dissolved parliament,

 

F.  whereas the provisional government announced that it would draft a new constitution overhauling Bakiyev’s revision concentrating excessive power in the hands of the presidency, and declared that parliamentary elections would be held after six months,

 

G.  whereas not only the political situation, but also the social and economic situation in Kyrgyzstan is still unstable; whereas, deplorably, Kyrgyzstan is to a great extent characterised by poverty and a multitude of serious threats against human security,

 

H.  whereas the EU is essentially as an aid donor present in Kyrgyzstan,

 

I.   whereas both the US and Russia have military bases in the country; whereas after a decision of the Parliament to close the US military base, the US government increased the payments considerably and achieved a prolongation until summer 2010; whereas the Bakiyev government intensified new negotiations with the US on a long term agreement; whereas the US military base in Kyrgyzstan is of great importance for military supplies to troops in Afghanistan,

 

J.   whereas the provisional government promised to honour the existing agreements and decided to postpone a final decision on the future of the foreign military bases after a new government was elected,

 

K. whereas the government of the Russian Federation has adopted a package of USD 50 million in economic assistance to Kyrgyzstan along with shipments of gasoline and diesel for the spring harvest,

 

1.  Expresses it deepest concern at the situation in Kyrgyzstan and offers its condolences to the families of all the victims of the tragic events there;

 

2.  Supports the aspirations of the Kyrgyz people for the improvement of their living standards; reiterates that it is the people of Kyrgyzstan who have suffered from an increase in housing costs and the privatisation of key industries for the benefit of an oligarchic minority; condemns the repressive measures by the former government which banned internet sites, the Stan TV internet portal and protests, as well as arresting opposition leaders;

 

3.  Calls on all parties to start a genuine dialogue aimed at bringing stability and providing the conditions for a peaceful return to a democratic constitutional order, to stop violence and show restraint;

 

4.  Calls for a thorough investigation into the events; underlines the importance of ensuring that anyone responsible for the wholesale violence is brought to justice in fair proceedings and that the victims and their families receive assistance and compensation;

 

5.  Takes note of the plans to draft a new constitution overhauling Bakiyev’s revision that concentrated excessive power in the hands of the presidency; welcomes the announcement by the interim government of a referendum on the new constitution on 27 June and new general elections on 10 October;

 

6.  Urges the interim government to make every effort to create the conditions for an effective and transparent system that can curb the dominance of clan politics and stimulate political, social and economic development; stresses that efforts must now be focused on improving people’s lives through national development and empowerment of citizens;

 

7.  Underlines the need to assist Kyrgyzstan to overcome its social and economic problems; asks the Commission to prepare proposals on re-allocations of funds under the Development Cooperation Instrument to help make sure that the short‑ as well as medium‑term EU response to the new situation in Kyrgyzstan can be of an adequate size; underlines that special priority should be given to the solution of problems in the fields of education, health and water supply;

 

8.  Welcomes the efforts to convene an international conference under the auspices of the United Nations which should address the humanitarian problems and the basic needs of Kyrgyzstan and provide the necessary aid for the sustainable development of that country; calls on the Commission and the Council to launch a new aid programme for Kyrgyzstan;

 

9.  Calls on all international actors for restraint and to avoid any interference in the internal affairs of Kyrgyzstan; calls for the closure of all foreign military bases in the region;

 

10. Welcomes the engagement of the OSCE, which Kazakhstan is currently presiding, in the conflict management process and stabilization of the region;

 

11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice‑President of the Commission, the OSCE, and the parliaments of the Russian Federation, the United States and Kazakhstan.